Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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596. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of additional humanitarian assistance payments still awaiting review, decision, and payment; the number of applications that are under review; the number of applications from each County, decided, paid out, under review and rejected, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37672/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my Department through the local Community Welfare Services (CWS), was activated on Thursday 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is operated in 3 stages. The majority of payments made to people to date as a result of Storm Éowyn have been Stage 1, to meet the additional cost of feeding their families in the immediate aftermath of the storm where people remained without power and/or water. The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event.

As of 01st July 2025, I can advise that 95,607 claims for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme have been registered and 57,848 claims have been awarded, with over €14.13 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims.

There are 36,851 applicants, whose claims have been decided and have not been awarded a payment in respect of Storm Éowyn. A person may request a review of a decision and review requests are undertaken by a SWA Review Officer. The review process may lead to a fresh examination of the initial decision made or include further contact/engagement with the customer and/or a requirement for additional supporting information or evidence to be provided, in order to assist the Review Officer with their consideration of the review request reasons.

Up to 04th July 2025, 6490 individual HAS1 review requests have been finalised and 24 remain outstanding, while 12 HAS2 review requests have been finalised and 119 remain outstanding. My Department does not currently have a breakdown of all review requests registered by county.

I can advise the Deputy that in the majority of finalised review cases, the applicant has provided additional information/clarification on review which results in a payment being awarded. Where a review has yet to be finalised, this is generally because further information or clarification is awaited from the applicant.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.